(Love at First Sight) (by Wislawa Szymborska)
"Beautiful is such a certainty,"
Can I share your umbrella?
I'm going over there. It's on your way, right?
"But uncertainty is more beautiful."
Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop! Stop!
Try again.
No way!!!
We're making POP music here, not classical!
Give me something COMMERCIAL!
Excuse me, Sir.
Can you explain what you mean by "COMMERCIAL"?
I want the singer to go like this...
Play along like this... sexy...
Get it?
Let's try again!
Sorry, Sir... I'm not suited for this job.
What a waste of time!
Get me a girl for tomorrow.
No recording today?
Hey, remember me?
Last week we shared an umbrella.
What a coincidence... Want a lift?
No thanks.
It's on my way!
You don't even know where I live.
Taipei's not so huge, everything's on the way!
So where's your place? Show me the way.
Rats.
Where are we?
You don't know how to get home?
I just moved in. Darn, where is it...
It's all right, I'll look out for the sign.
Do you smoke?
No.
Smoking is bad.
It can give you cancer, heart disease, respiratory problems.
I had an uncle...
You're just so precious...
So tasty...
Is this it? Which building?
Do you live alone?
Here!
Thanks.
I'll go up with you!
Next time I see you, I'll eat you up!
(St. George's Publishing House)
Still haven't finished the draft?
Lost it?
Left it in the taxi?
Or was it the bus?
Wind blew it away?
Dog ate it?
None of the above? Is it a big problem or a little one?
It's a major problem.
What major problem?
George, did you translate the first volume or the second?
Did YOU translate the first or the second?
Did you do the first or the second?
Did YOU do the first or the second?
The first!
I said I'd do the first, you'd do the second!
Why did you do the first?
Want to publish two versions and see whose is better?
Sorry, sorry, I don't know what I was thinking...
Elaine.
Yes!
When is the "Midnight Ghoul" series due?
Can we buy more time?
No more than a week!
Go start on the second one now!!
No, please...
I just moved... I don't want to move again!
What's this about moving?
I got so scared when I translated the first one...
and I even saw a ghost!
FINE, then I'll do it. You edit.
YOU pay everyone... - take the damn company!!
OK, I'll do it...
"...the shadowy trees were terrifying;"
"it was like passing through the road to hell."
"As the frightened girl was rushing home,"
"a ghoul quietly appeared before..."
Next time I gaze upon you, you will die...
"The pitiful girl hid in her home,"
"hoping to escape the cries of the ghoul;"
"but he could slip in through cracks in the door"
"Janfusun Fancy world is a popular spot"
"for school summer camping trips..."
"...the lake is in the Taipei suburbs"
"it has campgrounds, a gym, barbecue pits..."
"...and all sort of mechanical rides"
Good! Great musicality!
Let me hear you play a festive song!!
What festive song?
A song of celebration, like the birthday song!
You can play "Happy Birthday", right?
Of course!
Christmas songs?
Good!
How about Chinese New Year?
"Happy New Year"! Do you know it?
"Happy New Year"?
Happy New Year...
Very good! "Dragon Boat Day"?
"Dragon Boat Day?"
Excellent!
Report for work tomorrow!
It's just a job.
I studied culinary arts in France.
For X'mas, we've got to do a X'mas feast.
A New Year's feast for New Year's.
And a Dragon Boat banquet for Dragon Boat Day.
You've got the goods, you'll make it to Vienna some day!
And once you're famous,
I'll never tell anyone you worked here.
Do you like it?
You do!
Have a snack first!
Eat while you listen
Listen while you eat
Don�t just eat and not listen
Hey! You over there!
We're starting now!
Please just have a look. George, please...
I won't publish it...
It was written by a Polish poetess, Wislawa Szymborska.
She even won the Nobel Prize for Literature.
I know! I know it's a good poem!
But there's NO MARKET for "Mixosc od pierwszego wejrzenia"
Yes there is!
Oh, yeah, how many copies would get sold?
10,000!
Not even a hundred.
You want to lose your job, have me go bust
and watch the company go under?
At least listen to my translation
and give me some comments.
Fine.
"Both are convinced"
"that a sudden surge of emotion bound them together..."
"Beautiful is such..."
Hello? Hold on.
Important business.
You've saved my life!
Where should we go for lunch?
Hi kitty cat, got a minute?
I translated a beautiful poem.
I'll share it with you.
"Both are convinced"
"that a sudden surge of emotion bound them together..."
"Beautiful is such a certainty,"
"but uncertainty is more beautiful."
"Because they didn't know each other earlier,"
"they suppose that nothing was happening between them."
"What of the streets, stairways and corridors"
"where they could have"
"passed each other long ago?"
"I'd like to ask them whether they remember"
"...perhaps in a revolving door ever being face to face?"
"An 'excuse me' in a crowd"
Excuse me.
"Or a voice 'wrong number' in the receiver."
Is this Ching Ang Bookstore?
Wrong number.
I'm sorry.
"But I know their answer:"
"No, they don't remember."
"They'd be greatly astonished"
"to learn that for a long time. Chance had been playing with them."
"Not yet wholly ready"
"to transform into fate for them"
"it approached them, then backed off,"
"stood in their way"
"and, suppressing a giggle, jumped to the side."
(Life is full of coincidences... )
(... even two parallel lines might some day meet.)
- To hell with you! - Damn you!
- You handsome princeling - You poised beauty
- Who doesn't pay rent. - Who doesn't pay rent.
- I'll never rent to a musician again. - I'll never rent to a writer again.
What's wrong with you? Watch your step!
Sorry, pretty lady!
Miss...
Miss!
Oh no!
Oh no...
It's all wet!
Miss.
Thanks!
Sorry... Sorry...
I'll do it...
No, don't! Let me do it, I'm already soaked...
I'm so sorry, really...
Mom, should we help them?
No, they're fine.
"Both are convinced"
"that a sudden surge of emotion bound them together..."
"Beautiful is such a certainty,"
"but uncertainty is more beautiful."
Wow, your poem's fantastic!
I wish I were that talented.
It was written by a Polish poetess, Wislawa Szymborska
It's called... "Mixosc od pierwszego wejrzenia"
which means "Love At First Sight".
To speak Polish like that you ARE talented!
Wow, your song is so beautiful!
If only I were that talented.
It was written by a British composer, Edward Elgar,
It's from his Six Very Easy Pieces.
To play violin like that, you ARE talented!
"Chance had been playing with them."
"Not yet wholly ready to transform into fate for them"
"it approached them, then backed off,"
"stood in their way"
"and, suppressing a giggle"
"jumped to the side."
How old were you when you last rode a carousel?
13!
How about you?
15!
Where was it?
Janfusun. How about you?
Also at Janfusun.
What a coincidence!
That year we went to Janfusun for our school trip,
and on the train I met this really adorable girl...
Her school was also going to Janfusun.
But I was even more shy then than I am now.
The whole vacation, I couldn't get myself to say a word to her,
and she never once even looked at me...
...even after that she still didn't look at me...
and soon the camping trip ended...
On the way back to Taipei, we passed so many stations,
but I still couldn't get myself to go over to her...
Give me your phone number.
At that moment I was SO happy!
But afterwards, she never called.
Maybe I'd written the number wrong?
Or perhaps something had happened to her?
I might never find out for the rest of my life!
I only have a hazy memory of how she looked.
All I clearly remember is her student number, 784533...
Are you... 763092?
I waited twenty-one stops for you!
Waited till you got off!
Give me your phone number.
My book bag!
You're pretty absent-minded!
My mother says
I'd lose my head if it wasn't screwed on!
Where's your bag?
Are you teasing me? I didn't bring my bag today!
Yes you did! You dropped the whole manuscript!
It must be at the fountain!
No! On the grass!
Right...
Hold it, please.
I've gotta go!
Me too!
Give me your phone number!
Sure.
- What's your phone number? - What's your phone number?
- I'll call you. - I'll call you.
If I collect that rent, I'll take you out!
I'll take you out even if I don't collect!
Forget it, I'll go get it next week!
Okay.
Both are convinced
that a sudden surge of emotion bound them together
"Beautiful is such..."
Did I take it?
Yes! Already took it!
Darn, expired!
Oh well, love cures all illnesses!
Good night, 763092!
Good night, 784533!
Can't sleep!
I'll probably wake up in the night laughing!
"Life is full of surprises.
The kite you're flying might suddenly sail away..."
2-9-1...
Revival Mental Hospital!
2-7-8-5-5-2-3-6...
Funeral Home
Sorry, wrong number
2-9-6-3...
Taipei Fire Department.
2-7-8-5-6-2-1-2...
Shilin Police Station!
Sorry, wrong number.
Is this 784533?
Wrong number.
Excuse me, I'm looking for 763092.
Wrong number!
2-4-8-3-1-5-9-7...
2-4-8-3-1-5-9-7
Fast Food 88!
Is this 784533?
What? Didn't I say "Fast Food 88"?
Sorry, wrong number!
2-4-8-3-1-5-9-7
Fast Food 88!
Is 763092 there?
What? I said "Fast Food 88"!!
Sorry! Wrong number!
2-4-8-3-1-5-9-7
What would you like?
Beef rice.
Wait.
Are you 7-8...
Are you Fast Food 88?
Yep!
Do you deliver?
Yep! What do you want?
I'm sick, what should I eat?
Medicine!
Something not too oily... something bland?
Have some fish!
I don't eat fish!
You're a pain!
How about chicken?
Fine.
Hold on.
Fast Food 88!
Is 7-6... Do you deliver?
Yes, hold on a sec!
Address?
Flat A, Block Four, 10 Fujing Street!
Phone number?
Ok.
What'll you have?
I'm a bit sick.
Something not too oily, something bland?
Do you eat fish?
No!
Then how about chicken?
Chicken!
Ok, fine!
Address!
Flat B, Block Four, 10 Fujing Street!
Phone number?
Got it.
Be careful.
Anybody home?
Delivery.
Leave it there.
How much?
N.T. $120
A musician!
Thanks.
A struggling undiscovered artist!
Why are you fretting about that scrap?
It's a phone number!
Can I get to Block Four, Flat B, from here?
No, go back down and use the next entrance.
What a pain!
Thanks...
Phone number?
Can you tell what it is?
No way! How could anyone read this mess?
Maybe I'll figure it out soon.
You wish!
Toss it!
"Are you with your loved one this Christmas Eve?"
"Are you wandering alone on the street...
...waiting for midnight to arrive?"
"Or having a great time at a party?"
"This song goes out to all of you."
Block Four, Flat A?
Still not better? I know, stir-fried chicken...
Sick of chicken?
Try fish.
I'll make sure they add extra ginger.
Block Four, Flat B? Chicken again?
Sick of it?
Want fish instead?
Are you sure?
Ok.
Two orders of fish,
one with extra ginger!
Ok. Two fish, one with extra ginger!
Thanks.
Ran out of medicine again?
Didn't get more? Still waiting for that call?
How much?
Forget it! Took it from the shop!
Thanks.
Still haven't figured out that number?
Is it really important?
Who is it? A girl?
I don't even know her name.
All I know is her student number, 784533!
We met during a school trip over 10 years ago.
We finally met again recently
and exchanged phone numbers.
I can't believe they got washed out by the rain.
Do you like her?
Even if you don't say it, I can tell!
Can you see into the neighbor's place?
You can't deliver it from here.
Don't be so lazy!
Do you know who lives next door?
Aren't you curious?
The old lady next door is SUCH A PAIN!
It's best you NEVER meet her!
Still haven't chucked that out?
If he were looking for you, he'd have called!
Maybe his got washed out!
It was raining really hard!
Yeah right, WHAT a coincidence!
It smells awful...
Help me...
I'm having trouble breathing...
High fever... then chills...
Send an ambulance, quick...
Flat A, Block Four, 10 Fujing Street...
Open up!
Miss, was it you who called for an ambulance?
I don't know...
I got up to get some water, and suddenly... I just fainted...
I really don't know!
Must have been you, sick and dazed!
Let me grab some things...
They took so long...
Oh, it's not for me...
Why is my ambulance taking so long...
I feel awful...
What's wrong? Where does it hurt?
A few days ago I got caught in the rain, got a bad cold.
It's been getting worse,
first fever, then chills...
Today I could hardly breathe, I even fainted...
I know you!
You were in Foreign Languages at university!
Remember me?
The day after school started I jumped out at the entrance
with a bouquet and shouted "SURPRISE"!
...I was a senior in the Medical School!
Remember me?
I remember. I was so scared I ran away,
and never walked to class that way again!
Boy, those were wild and crazy times...
You've got pneumonia... Admitted!
I don't want to be admitted.
I'm waiting for an important call.
What's more important than your life?
See? You've even packed your stuff.
How long do I have to stay?
Till I've won you over.
Nurse!
Next!
Doctor, he's really sick!
What's up? Where does it hurt?
A few days ago I got caught in the rain, got a bad cold.
It's been getting worse,
first fever, then chills...
Today I could hardly breathe,
I even fainted...
Touch of pneumonia.
Go wait outside. Get your medicine and go home.
Next!
What the hell? No way!
No X-ray? Won't you keep him here for observation?
You call yourself a doctor and this a hospital?
His ambulance never even came for him!
If I hadn't stopped by, he'd be DEAD by now!
He's got all his stuff and you won't even admit him!!
Admit him?
So anyone who shows up with a suitcase can just move in?
Waste of public funds!!
Give me your name! I'll sue the shit out of you!
You'll be ruined for life!
Name? Your name?
Fine, you want to stay, stay to your heart's content!
Stay a few years! Stay 'till you die!!
Bring your stuff and move in too!
Next!
Make way...
A guy like you needs a tough woman...
We're really destined for each other.
At first I worked in a restaurant in Tainan.
Business was booming. I was burning out, so I went to Hwalien,
but it was just as busy there, so I moved to Hsinchu,
no customers there... and where I work now, even less
Anyway, that's how I ended up in Taipei... and met YOU!
Early this year a fortuneteller told me
I'd meet someone destined for me... turns out to be you!
I started at a hospital in Kaohsiung,
then I was lured to Hwalien with a big offer,
then a place in Hsinchu offered me even MORE money...
Who would've thought, here they offered free room and board
Otherwise you wouldn't have met me again in Taipei!
Can you hook up an answering machine at my house?
What phone call could be so important?
Who is it? Your parents?
A boyfriend?
Someone you've got a crush on?